Dandelions don't die [Ongoing]

ELEVEN - Elizabeth

Disease and regrets

When Elizabeth came into the front part of the tavern in the evening, she was partly glad, partly sad to see Glenna back behind the counter. She was glad that Glenna seemed unharmed from what had happened yesterday evening. But she had wanted to see Vidar again.

The grumpy man had vanished right after breakfast. He had done a quick check of her neck and decreed that she didn't need the balm anymore and then just left. Elizabeth's throat was still very painful, especially when she tried to swallow but she hadn't argued with his assessment.

"Poppet, come over here," Glenna called her over.

She didn't seem angry anymore like on the days before. Instead she looked like she felt sorry for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth didn't know if she wanted to be pitied. But being pitied was better than being chocked to death.

Or thrown out on the streets.

"I'm sorry about Donahue. I never wanted you to get hurt," the larger woman said.

Elizabeth believed Glenna but wondered why she was apologizing. She hadn't tried to kill her.

"I understand," Elizabeth said.

Her throat rebelled against its usage.

"Good. He promised to keep out of your way," Glenna nodded.

Elizabeth wanted to ask why Donahue had attacked her at all but couldn't find the courage.

Maybe it was better she didn't know. Maybe it was anyway time to start looking for work elsewhere. Once her throat had healed a bit, she would agree with Glenna to get a free day.

Now that the men were back, she was sure that there wouldn't be as much work for her as before.

"Was work with Vidar alright last night? He can be a bit cold and grumpy," Glenna continued.

Elizabeth nodded.

She wouldn't say that Vidar was cold. Grumpy, yes. But after she had seen how patient and gentle he was with the children in the morning, she was sure that he definitely was not cold.

He cared, he just wasn't very vocal about it.

"Good good," Glenna nodded as well. "How are you feeling? Have you been able to eat?"

Elizabeth moved her head up and down. She had eaten enough to not feel hungry.

"Buttercup," Lulu came back to the bar desk with a tray filled with empty glasses, "I guess Vidar took good care of you yesterday."

She gave Elizabeth a wide grin.

"I was a little worried but apparently you have him wrapped around your little finger."

Elizabeth gave Lulu a confused look.

She hadn't done anything to Vidar. She hadn't seen him all day. And last night they hadn't actually talked.

"Lulu." Glenna said the name like a warning.

"What?" Lulu asked unsuspectingly. "He didn't spend the night in his room. Katie told me she checked several times. She was pretty disappointed to not get fucked by our beta beast the moment he got home. I mean the only logical reason is that he went into one of his cave man moods and camped outside of buttercup's room. The corridor smelled like him when I sweeped it earlier."

Elizabeth stared at Lulu with her mouth hanging slightly open.

She hadn't wanted to know about Vidar's and Katie's intimate history, even though it explained why Katie had been so rude earlier while Elizabeth had helped in the kitchen.